"What brings you so soon again to the city?" returned Althea displeasedly, and drew back her hand.
"Rasselwitz treats us to-day with a dozen flasks of old Hungary, at Barthel Wallach's," replied Netz: "You know that when once I get into the old den I can't set off again without having seen you. God forgive you, lady, but you must have bewitched me; and I shall yet denounce you to the council of Schweidnitz."
"How willingly would I undo the spell of which you complain! Truly, it gives me no pleasure."
"Tush! you are not in earnest. We all know that women like to be courted, that their value may be the greater."
Here he began to whistle and clatter up and down the room, when his eyes suddenly fell upon Francis, who had not yet been able to separate himself from the goblet.
"The devil! you too, Friend! What wind has blown you hither?"
"If any one should ask you," said Francis roughly, "tell him you don't know."
"And how is it with your lucky horse-swop?" asked Netz, in a mocking tone: "Have you settled with Rasselwitz?"
"Long ago," replied Francis, dryly, and poured out the drainings of the flask.
"It must be allowed," exclaimed Netz, with a loud laugh--"you know how to manage things admirably. He has got the bay, then?"